World Briefing | Americas: Dominican Republic: Migrants Die At Sea

Published: November 18, 2004

Helicopters and rescue boats combed the northern coast in search of survivors from a migrant boat that capsized while trying to reach Puerto Rico. At least 8 were dead and 15 were missing. The Dominican Navy rescued 7 male migrants at sea on Tuesday, and survivors said the small wooden boat carried at least 30 people when it left Puerto Plata, 140 miles north of the capital, Santo Domingo, late Monday. The number of Dominicans trying to reach Puerto Rico has sharply increased. American authorities have detained 592 illegal migrants trying to reach Puerto Rico since Oct. 1. In August, 55 Dominican migrants died when their outboard motor broke down and they spent 12 days lost at sea.